I drew a Grouse Creek Elk Tag... and I'm disabled.

MsDestiny · Jul 18, 2008

I hopeing that there might be someone out there that might know where a little handicapped lady might be able to locate a Monster Bull Elk. I'm pretty familiar with the area and probably will contact the DWR Biologist for the area in a few weeks.

I've put in for this hunt for almost a decade without fail and when I became my worst... the damn tag showed up in the mail... so now I have a goal... been going to physical therapy and have moved from a walker to a cane but walking is still limited.

I'm looking for information on wallows and waterholes that the critters would be using mid September... that I could try with my limited oomph... Got all sorts of Maps for the 17 square miles. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Destiny

legacy · Jul 18, 2008

I'd get on the horn with the biologist asap. He's a great guy and will give you a ton of good information. We hunted deer just south of Ingham Canyon last year. Seen some elk sign, but no elk. I would assume it would be a tough hunt. Wish I could be more help, but good luck and let us know how it goes!

woodruffhunter · Jul 19, 2008

My dad drew this same tag several years ago (1999 I believe).
There were a 2 very nice bulls we saw during the hunt. Don't
ask me about the harvest results...

Suffice it to say, we screwed up. However, the very next year my friend drew the same tag. I sent him to the same area and he shot a 350"ish bull opening morning.

I would spend time on the water holes as you said you would. However, I would glass the adjoining hayfields near the cedars.

PM and I will tell you the specific canyon the elk were in when we were there.

Also, spend some time talking to the locals. They are great people out there. However, it can be a little difficult getting information. The bioligist at the time gave us NO INFORMATION, or HELP. I hope its changed. The locals are the ones that helped us.

Good luck and post results!!!

treedagain · Jul 19, 2008

P.M sent.

MsDestiny · Jul 20, 2008

Thank You Woodruffhunter and Treedagain !

Thanks guys... all help and hints are appreciated... its kinda a lifelong dream... I don't know how many hunts I will be able to make in the future... I hope this is a good one.

Destiny

shooter75 · Jul 29, 2008

RE: Thank You Woodruffhunter and Treedagain !

I know of a great spot out there. And could find you a nice bull. Just say when.

MsDestiny · Jul 30, 2008

Thank You...

I'm gratefull for any help...

Do you live up in Grouse Creek ?

Destiny

bobcatbess · Jul 30, 2008

RE: Thank You...

DOES THIS MEAN I'LL BE LIMPING AROUND WITH A CANE BEFORE I GET MY LE PERMIT???

THIS IS MY NEW GUN,YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT,YOU'LL LIKE IT A HELL OF A LOT LESS WHEN IT HITS ITS DESTINATION!!!

THE ONLY bobcat THAT KNOWS ALOT OF YOU HAVE HAD THIS IMAGE IN YOUR PEA BRAIN BUT DUE TO POOR SHOOTING TACTICS I'M STILL KICKIN!!!

MsDestiny · Jul 30, 2008

Possibly...........

I think I had eight points before I drew out... but watched my health go over the past few years... you just never know when your life will change for the bad or good... you just have to live each day as if it were your last...

Funny thing... I applied for the Antelope Island Buffalo canned hunt because I was using a walker but I got a Grouse Creek Elk tag instead... I've been pushing myself and working at walking so much that I have put the walker away... its been a six month goal and its probably been for the better... God does have a sense of humor so there is hope for you too ;-)

Destiny

shooter75 · Jul 31, 2008

RE: Thank You...

Nope don't live out there, but I've been on a few elk hunts out there and have seen lots of nice bulls. Anywhere from a raghorn (PISSCUTTER) to a 360, 370 bull.

shooter75 · Jul 31, 2008

RE: Thank You...

Bobcat you have a comment for everything. Do you have a job, or do you sit infront of your computer all day, and think of stupit comments for everything?

MsDestiny · Jul 31, 2008

Its the Locating the Bulls in September that I have a problem

The LE Elk hunt begins September 13th and I never have run across them at that time... November and December the Bulls sit and graze in the pastures right next to the main road.

Elk seem to scatter during the Deer Hunt at Grouse Creek as I have run across only cows and spikes in late October. I'm sure that the longer I hunt.. the less selective I will be.

Destiny

slamdunk · Jul 31, 2008

RE: Its the Locating the Bulls in September that I have a problem

MsDestiny-
If you are disabled, how come you aren't getting to hunt August 1st?
Is that a "special" permit, aside from the LE??

shooter75 · Jul 31, 2008

RE: Its the Locating the Bulls in September that I have a problem

The hunts that I have been on were awsome, I wish I had a video camera. Thery were right in the peak of the rut (September) and seen many good bulls. Yes they are off of the side of the road and we even saw a 360 bull with his heard, but it was still to early in the mornin to shoot. I wish I had that tag. Ther was one bull that we thought would go 380-390 but his whole main beem was broke only havin his two fronts, and seven on the other.

MsDestiny · Aug 1, 2008

Hunting Disabled

Under the DNR Rule R657-12 a disabled hunter can apply for a 30-day extension special season hunt... they basically give you a certificate of registration or "COR" and it gives the disabled LE hunter an additional 30-days on top of the ten days... I picked up the paperwork to get the COR but I don't have that much oomph to hunt 30-days and can't afford to hunt more than the regular 10 days the LE hunt allows... My Doc said he would be glad to sign the paperwork... he actually seemed more happy about the Elk hunt than I am...I'm both excited and yet nervous that I won't see anything..

There are two LE public tags and two CWMU public tags.. so thats only four hunters plus any landowner permits... just don't feel there will be too much hunting pressure with only four hunters total.... figure I'm okay with a week of hunting.

The Disabled Hunting program is a good thing... but I'm personally on the border... I have all of my limbs and not confined to a wheelchair yet... its one of those pride things that you just have to be there to understand... there are different seasons for the General Elk and Deer hunt too... the date on my tag is September 13th..

Destiny

MsDestiny · Aug 18, 2008

RE: Its the Locating the Bulls in September that I have a problem

I went scouting last Saturday and Sunday and no sign of Elk.. a few sorry looking deer, a few coyotes, foxes, a few nice Pronghorn bucks on the way out there.. and half a dozen golden eagles...

I tried to do a little hiking and made it about 75 yards up a hill with the cane and had to be helped back to the jeep. That was the biggest dissapointment.

I did notice a great deal of posted areas in the north end of Grouse Creek valley... I'm sure that will cause some problems for the out of state deer hunters on that surprise.

Destiny

Wes · Aug 19, 2008

RE: Its the Locating the Bulls in September that I have a problem

Destiny
Do you have some one helping you on your hunt or are you trying to do this alone?
I don't know anything about your area but if you need help let me know. I can bring out a camp and a couple horses to help pack out your trophy bull. (Free of charge of course)
Wes
801-550-4973

legacy · Aug 19, 2008

Have you talked with the biologist yet?

xxxbull · Aug 19, 2008

That guy wes is who you need out their. take a look at the goose creek mtns.Etna is good to stay by the boarders. stop into P.V. and Rosette they will have some info to hand out also the ranch houses in grouse creek valley they welcome good company.
Good luck

MsDestiny · Aug 19, 2008

Thanks Wes

I have my elderly father that will be with me and my brother in law for a few days. I decided to submit the paperwork for a extended hunt... see the Doctor next week for the paperwork.

Destiny

MsDestiny · Aug 19, 2008

Not yet... will call soon

The biologist for that area is named Kirt Enright... I have his number.

Destiny

sledboy · Oct 14, 2008

How did your hunt go?

MsDestiny · Oct 19, 2008

LAST EDITED ON Oct-19-08 AT 08:34PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Oct-19-08 AT 08:32?PM (MST)

It went well. 6x6 Bull.

Destiny

fugitive · Oct 19, 2008

Awesome bull. and congrats!!!

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

sledboy · Oct 20, 2008

Excellent! Congrats!

You wouldn't want to share the story would you? Where did you end up getting him? In the northern part of the area or down south near Grouse Creek?

alpinebowman · Oct 20, 2008

Man that guy sure was fighting for his girls. Great job on the hunt I am glad it was a success for you.

alpinebowman

>>>---shots that are true pass right through--->

National guard archery staff shooter

MsDestiny · Oct 20, 2008

Sure...... I contacted the DNR Biologist first.

Kirt Enright put me onto the Bulls this season... there were a few that got pushed over from Nevada from some fires... There were two Public LE permits for the Grouse Creek Area... Kirt mentioned that a few bulls were temporarily hanging out by Etna reservoir... all Private but the bulls were grazing in the Alfalfa fields and then migrating over to both sides of the reservoir... The first day I got there a little late and there were a few cows and a 2x2 Bull... Looked around all day and night but no other signs... on the second day I went to the same place but very early... got within 50 yards of a number of Bulls but they headed for the hills Bugiling all the way but I couldn't move fast enough with my disability so I followed the tracks and did some Bugeling and located a few of the Bulls and decided to go back to camp for a long nap... came back in the evening.

My Father dropped me off on BLM land and found a high advantage point about 75 yards from where he dropped me off and he went and parked half a mile away... Just as the sun was setting I saw this Bull making his way to me and I noticed that I was surrounded by cow elk moving all around me and I realized I was in the wrong place... I had earlier picked a clear shooting range but moved a few yards to my left into the cedars because I could hear the Bull Bugiling and I wanted to see him... He passed below me and I only had a few yards of open area... too fast so I hobbled back to my original spot and the Bull and I were looking eye to eye at ten yards... I took a single center chest shot and he dropped dead... no ruined meat and I even recovered the spent bullet for a souveiner.

My Father drove over with my little Toyota truck and we backed right up to the Bull. It had got dark and there was a full moon... had a cheap harbor freight come-a-long and all we could do is winch its head onto the tailgate after a few hours... My Dad took my truck back to town and got our ramps for the ATV and we were able to winch it up onto the truck... but only half of it fited. Since we were on a hill... I sped up and slammed on the breaks and the Bull slid in enought to tie it down back to town.

I have a partial paralysis problem with my legs and one hand so at 3:00 am I got to cleaning it out... one handed.. we tied the back legs up and pulled it partially down the ramps so I could clean it elevated in town...It took a few hours but I did it all by myself... I earned this Bull with blood sweat and tears... it took me six months of physical therapy just to get up with a cane before the hunt... I was hosed off... looked like the girl from the movie Carrie... covered in Elk Blood from head to toe but it was worth it... I slept for two hours and as the sun started to rise we headed into the big city to the meat processor... C&S Meats were great and I had tried to skin it but I just didn't have the physical strength and Butcher skined it for me for an extra $50.00 Best money I ever spent... He said it weighed a little over 900 lbs.

I just got back from Deer hunting there and harvested a small 3-point buck too... Its a bucket list thing... I'm progressively getting worse and there are a few more animals I would like to hunt.

Destiny